Truck construction.



TRUCK CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 25, 1912.

Patented Dec. 9,1913.

6 u aw m. '1: .4 0 .w 8 V. Q Q b mm Q ewj e M y w H UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE H. HOWARD AND HARRY M. PFLAGER, OF ST. LOUISv MISSOURI. ASSIGNORS TO DOUBLE BODY BOLSTER COMPANY, 01' ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

TRUCK CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 9, 1 913.

To all whom it may concern 'Be it. known that we, CLARENCE II. How- ARI) and I'lARRY M. PFLAGER, citizens of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Truck Construction, of which the following is a full, clear. and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section illustrating our improved truck construction. Fig. 2 is a detail in section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. i) is a detail in section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view showing a modified construction of connecting the ends of the equalizing bars at the extremities of the wheel pieces of the truck.

Our invention relates broadly to truck constructions and specifically to a new and improved construction and arrangement of the truck frame and the equaliziuzgj members of the truck, and this application should be read in connection with an application tiled by us November 18th. 1919, Serial No. 732mm.

()ur invention has for its principal obje t the production of a form of truck wherein the equalizing bars are disposed in positions where they will not interfere with the inspection and repair of other portions of the, truck or of the truck cquipn'ient.

Further objects of our invention are to materially increase the strength of the tru k mmstructiiui and decrease the weight thereof, to in rease the flexibility of the tru k; to produce an improved means for equalizing the distribution of weight among all of the wheels of the truck and to dispose the equalizing members wholly above the journal boxes of the truck and yet keep within the limited spa e between the top of the tra k rails and the top of the truck frame.

In the form of tru ks for railway cars now most commonly in use the wheels are provided with journal boxes upon which are carried cqualizin bars disp cd in sclica l)t't\\'(-t!l the wheels longitudinally of the tru k, each equalizing bar being supported at ea h of its ends upon a dill'crent. journal lzox Between the wheels, the equalizing bars are formed with a depending portion 1 springs upon which are seated heavy coil springs which support the truck frame. As the equalizing bars extend from journal box to journal box and carry the weight of the truck frame and the car, they must possess great strength. and consequently are of considerable size and weight.

As disposed in trucks now most commonly in use, the depending portions of the equalizing bars and the springs carried thereby occupy positions in front of the brake heads and other portions of the brake rigging. Because of this tact, thorough inspection of the brake heads is dit'ticuh, and access t them for making repairs is very limited. In our improved tru k construction, we overcome these ditlicnlties by altering the form of the. equalizing bars, and supporting each one upon a separate journal box in a positicn above the brake beams and other depending portions of the truck equipment. Because of this now] arrangement. we are enabled also to decrease very materially the ize and weight of the equalizing liars. \Vc are enabled to u e also half elliptical springs for supporting the truck frame, which spiings are supported at. their ends upon ditferent equalizing bars. 'lhese springs are positioned entirelv above the brake heads and above the journal boxes. 'lo accommo date the equalizing bars and the springs in these positions, we form the truck sido frames of hollow members within which the equalizing bars and the springs are con lained. By virtue of thi construction. thcrcfore. we obtain not only a much more ompalt structure, but also one in which the equalizing bars and the springs are etl'tc lively protected from injury. 13y virtue of their being contained within the hollow side franu-s the cqualizinobars, if broken will be contained in the lraine so that they will not fall out and possibly cause derailment of the ar.

For th plll'pow of illustrating our invention. we have shown it applied to a sixwhccl truck equipped with brakes on both sid s of the wheel l. The journal boxes L are carried upon the axles l in the usual fashion. 'lhc equalizing bars are designated by 5, each being fulcrulned upon one of the journal boxes 2. At their ends the equalizing liars are formed with spring seats t; upon which are supported half-elliptical 7, ea h spring being disposed so that it is supportetl at eat-h of its entls upon a tlill'erent equalizing bar. The side l'i'ames or \vheel pieees S of the tl'uek are pref rably east in the form oi hollow member inning l 5 an inner wall .7. a top wall it), a trout \vall ll mat a bottom wall 1;. The wheel pieces earry the petlestals hi -h embrat'e the sitles ot' the journal boxe in the usual urannen Seat 1 are provitletl on the stile frame; internu-tliate the pedestals for the reception l of the springs 't. aiul in the ortions interl metliate the pedestal poi tions of the trout l all it of the \\'l]tt'l pie 'e are rut auayto permit the insertion antl inspe tion of the springs. (her the iournal boxes P l'llt'zlli" of the bottom all 13 are rut away, as illustratetl in hi anti through these rut away porti us lllll'l oi" the e ualizing bars [Hoit ft to engage 1hjournal boxes. 'I he outer olls l ol the equalizing bars at extremiti s of the Xllttl pieets are en extg l by lillliS l4 piv tetl to the truelt train:

in lini i, we have sliti' 't a motlifietl an rangenu-nt tit entitle ting the entls ol thel equalizing bars to the Wheel pieees at. the extremiti te thereol \vhieh motiifietl arrangement inelutles a linl; lo. prelet'ably ot inverttnl U-shape photezl at its low r eutl antl inteip-zsetl lJLlWt tH tintop at saitl link anti the entl ol llte equali g har is a romp t \el v st ll compression spring to. \Vhere sat-l1 eonstruetion is utilizetL the entls of the equalizing bars 'ot'ipt'rate with springs, 1 thereby materially inereasing the tlexibilitv of the truel; frame support. The springs T are suppertetl in tlltH upon the atljaeent eutls of jt'txtapesrtl equalizing bars, and the trot-l; frame is suppertetl upon the i--prings 1 The truelc bolst rs ii" are suspentlet'l from the truek frame by the hangers lof antl tlepentl below the springs antl the equalizing bars. it will be seen that in this eonstruetion, the equalizing; bars are eontainetl within the hollow sitle frame or \vheel pieees ot' the truth, being positioned within the horizontal plane of the lltlt'h frame fllltl entirely relHtWttl from the brake heads illustrated at A. This leaves the brake heatls and other portions of the brake rigging below the truth frame entirely open to inspection or repairs, and the equalizing members, While occupying sheltere l positions are at the same time easily aeeessible for inspection and repair. The springs form a flexible mounting between the equalizing bars antl the truck frame. and they, together with the flll(il'lllll('tl equalizing bars. respond to any change in elevation of any of the wheels relative to the others so as to compensate therefor and at the same time maintain an equal distril'iution of Weight among all of the wheels.

In the construction of the truek tliselosetl in the applieation hereinhe'l'ore i'eterretil to, the equalizer springs were shown 66 antl de-- 1 'bars. wheel pieees on i seribetl as resting directly on the journal boxes and the rigid equalizer bars were diselosetl as bearing uponthe upper flanges ot the wheel pieces, and it will be noted that in the iresent a) )lieation. the arran enient of the equalizing members rmersetl, that is, the rigul members bear threetly upon the journal boxes, While the springs bear upon the top flange ot' the Wheel piece. In he present eol'tstruetion, we have shown the wheel pieee formed in a single misting in teeral with the transverse parts of the trueh Frame, but it is obvious that our improved arranqement ol' equalizingmembers (an be atlrantagtwiusly usetl in eonneetion with a huilt--up truek frame (,1' with a frame having built-up \vheel 1)i(('(? While we ha\e (leseribml in the foregoing a single speeifie mmslrtutiou emliotlving our invention, it not our intention that our invention herein; l ter elaimetl be liulitetl to that partieular form. for we are aware that various hang es antl motlitieatit-ns may be matle without tlepaiting lroui the spirit of our invention. 'llherelore, we lltltlltl that the eonstruetion to he plae tl upon our in rention be of sutli ient Srope to eoniprehei'ul all obvious el'tang es antl motlitieatious: in \vltieh the prineiples of eur invention are einpltrvetl.

Ne elaim:

In a true]; eonstrut tion, the eoinbination with a series of wheel earrying axles j antl journal hoxes, of an equalizing bar supportetl by eaeh journal box, springs sup portetl by the equalizing bars aml a truth 'l'rasne supportetl by saitl equalizing: bars antl springs the wheel pieees of \vhieh truelc frame are hollow Ellltl eontain the equalizing bars and springs.

In truek eonstruetion. the eembination with a series f wheel earrviug axles illltl journal boxes, of equalizing JillK lulerunu-tl upon the journal l oxes, a truek frame having Wheel pieces lying Wholly above the axles antl journal boxes. and springs interposed between the ends of said equalizing bars and said truelc frame \vhieh 'equalizing bars and springs are positioned within said Wheel pieces.

3. In a tru k construction, the eombination with a series of wheel earrving axles atul journal boxer of equalizing bars fulerumetl on the journal boxes, springs sup ported by the equalizing bars a truck frame supported by saitl s iringg' i anti equalizing itl truelt trame whit-h Wheel pieees are hoi'lou' aiul lie wholly above the truel; axle: an 'l journal boxes, \vhieh e ualizibars autl springs are con tttiiit il Within toe wheel piet'es of the truel;

frame.

-i in a tritek emistruethm, a series of wheel Qull' ,t3lg axles, ournal boxes there tor, equalizing bars nipported 0n the ]1)UI- flexible eonneetions between the, equalizing bars. and a truek frame sup- [)Oltttl by said tlexible eonneetions and equalizing bars the wheel pieees, of whit-h truek frame are hollow and eontain the equalizing bars and flexible ('oiinet'tion 5. In a truek eonstruetion. the eombination with a series of wheel earryine' axles and journal boxes. of an equalizin; bar supported by tilt'll journal box. a \i'l t'l-I i'ranze tlexibly earrie l by said eqtntlizing bars and tubular wheel pier-es for said trueh frame, which wheel pieees are positioned above the ear axles and journal boxes and contain the equalizing bars;

('1. In a tru k eon truetten. the eombination with a serie of wheel earrying axleand journal boxes. of an equalizing bar supnal boxes.

leaf springs are loeated wholly within the tubular wheel pieees of the truck frame.

II. In a truth eonstru tion. a series of wheel earryiiu axles. journal boxes therefor, a truelt' frame haiin tubular wheel pie fes equalizing barssupported on the journal boxes. leal springs between said equalizing. bars. whieh equalizing bars and le-ii' springs are loeated within the tubular wheel pieees of the truelt frame and said wh el pieees and eontained parts being loeated wholly boie the axles and journal boxes.

l2. lit a tro l; eonstruetion. a series of wheel eat-tying axle journal boxes therefor. e ualizing bars vsupported by the journal boxes. a truelt' frame having: substantially tubular wheel pieee whieh contain the ualizin a' ars and leaf springs arrange-l )Orted by eaeh ournal box. lirina' u ported by the equalizing bars. a trueh lrauie supported by said springs and tubular heel pieces for said tru k frame. whi h \\littl pieces he wholly above the axles and j illl'lirtl boxes and contain the et ualizing' bar and I l springs.

t. In a ti'iiek eonstruetion. the eonibinawithin the tubular wheel pieees ot' the truek tranie and engaging the equalizing bars.

1 In a trueh' eonstruetion. a series of 1 wheel earl-yin; axles. journal boxes. eqtializ I equalizing bars. whieh llexible members and tion with a series of wheel earrying axle f l the trueh l'rame and yieldingly support the and jotirnal boxes. of equalizing bars sup ported by the journal boxes. springs supported by the equalizingbars. and a ll'llilx' frame supported by said springs and pio vided with substantially hollow wheel pit-ee lying wholly above the axles and journal boxes. which equalizer bar and springs are contained within said substantially hollow wheel pieees.

S. In a trueh eonstruetion. the eombinze tion with a series ol wheel earr in; axles and journal boxes, of equalizine bars supported by the journal boxes. springs stipported by the, equalizing bars. and a truth frame supported by said springs and lying wholly above the ti'uek axles and journal boxes. whieh equalizin bars and spring are eontainetl within the wheel pieees ot' the trueh l'rante.

fl. In a ll'lltl{ eon truetion. the eombina tion with a series of wheel earrying axles and journal boxes, ot a truelt' traine having substantially hollow wheel pie es whieh lie wholly above the axles and journal boxes and a series of alternately arranged equalizin; bars and equalizing springs dispo ed within the hollow wheel pie es and eoiipei atin; with eaeh other to \'ieltlin ;ly support the il'll 'lx upon the journal boxes said equalizine bars being upportetl by the journal boxes. I

It). In a trueh eonstruetion. a series of wheel earryiiiglf axle.- journal boxes theie tor. a truel; l'raiue havin; tubular \-lieel pieees equalizing bars supported on the journal boxe and leal springs between said equalizing; bars whiel. equalizing bars and equalizing bars are disposed within parts of I t. In ear trueh ttilt ll'tl titili. a wheel earryine' axle. a ournal box therefor. a member tall-ranted on the ournal box. a trame, tubular wheel pieees t'orinin; a part of said frame. and llexible members cooperating with the extremities of the t'ulernnied mem her for supporting the l'ratne. \vhieh flexible members and fuleruined member oeeupy the tubular wheel pie es of the truek lram'e.

II). In a truek eonstruetion. a series of wheel earrying axles. journal boxes, :1. frame havin a tubular wheel pieee lying wholly above the journal boxes, a tlexible member bearing upon the frame and separate means operat ively eoiineeting eaeh end of said llexible member with dill'erent journal boxes whieh llexible member and means eonneeted to the ends there f are Io ated wholly with in the tubular wh el pieee t' the frame.

It. In a trueh eonstruetiou. a series of wheel earryin; axles. a frame having a tubu Iar wheel pie e Ioeated wholly above the axles, a sprin g bearing upon said frame, and independently movable members supported upon tlitlerent journal boxes and eoi' peratin with the spring l'or yieldingly siippoit in the l'rame whieh pring and independently movable member are eontain d within the tubular wheel pieee of the frame.

17. In a trueh eon truetion. a series of wheel eari'ying axles. journal b xes therefor.

l l i the truelt's, a truck frame having tubular wheel pieees loeated wholly above the axles and journal boxes, and means for supportl mounted on the journal boxes and arranged 111g said frame upon the equalizing bars;

said means being disposed above the brake j beams said last mentioned nielis and the I equalizing bars being located ithui the 111- bular wheel pieces of the truek frame.

18. In a truck eonstruetion, a frame ha ing tubular wheel pieces, a series of heel carrying axles, journal boxes therefo bolsters suspended from the frame betueen the wheels, equalizing bars supported by the journal boxes, and frame supporting springs supported by said equalizing bars, said springs being disposed above the bolsters which equalizing bars and springs are located wholly within the tubular wheel pieees of the frame.

19. In a truelt eonstluetloln a series of wheel earrying axles, journal boxe therefor, a frame having tubular wheel pit-res, equalizing bar's supported by the journal boxes, and tiexible means substantially in longitudinal al nenient with the equalizing, bars for yieldingly supporting the truel; frame which equalizing bars and flexible means are located wholly within the tubular wheel pieees of the truck frame.

20. In a car truck having the usual wheelearrying axles and journal boxes, a truck frame lying, wholly above the axles and journal boxes and having substantially hollow wheel pieces, rigid equalizing members substantially within the hollow pieces of the truek frame, and flexible equalizing members between said rigid equalizing members.

21. lo a ear truek provided with the usual wheel eari yingg, axles and journal boxes, :1 truel; frame lying wholly above the axles and journal boxes and ha\ ing flanged wheel piel'es, rigid equalizing members mounted upon the journal boxes and arranged between the flanges of the wheel pieees, anl flexible equalizing members between the rigid ttpltlliltlrj i|ttlllliel' 3;. In a ear truek having the usual wheel (tll'l'a'lll ilj tlXlt and journal boxes, a truek frame lying wholl above the axles and journal boxes and ha ring substantially channel shaped wheel pieet and cooperating iigid equalizing nnnnbeis and flexible equalizing members located substantially within said ehannel shaped wheel pieees, whieh rigid equalizing members bear upon the journal boxes of the truek.

In testimony hereof we hereunto allix our signatures in the presenee of two itnesses, this 19th day of November, 1912.

ULAhIINCE II. HOWARD. HARRY M PFLAGER.

\Vitnesses CHAS. S. SIlALlillNlllilltil'lll, llAL Ci hzLIXiLLi-I. 

